GS3 · 10 marks · 150 words

Why is self-sufficiency in pulse production crucial for India? Discuss the policy and technological interventions needed to achieve Aatma Nirbharata in pulses.

Answered by 3 toppers · CSE 2024–2025

Crops and Cropping PatternsSubsidies and MSPAgri-technologyFood Security and PDS

Syllabus: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, - different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.

How toppers approached it

From all 3 answers · about 120 words · 67% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A figure2 of 3
  • A date or context1 of 3

Body

  • Points2 of 3
  • Points and prose1 of 3

Close

  • A way forward2 of 3
  • A summary1 of 3

The toppers’ answers

Sandeep BadadAIR 82 · CSE 2025 · 105 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a date or context

Budget 2025 envisaged a [6 year] programme to achieve self-sufficiency in pulses by 2030. Policy and Technological interventions

Body · points and prose

on: (Graph showing downward trend) 57% (2017) -> 51% (2020) -> 44% (2023) Import dependency of 56%.

Need for self sufficiency: -> "Healthy Bharat" - meet nutritional requirement (37% stunted) -> Food Sovereignty -> Promote exports -> Diversify crops from cereal -> Double farmer income -> Sustainable and viable agriculture

Policy and Technological interventions

  1. Incentivise diversification -> MSP for pulses unlimited (Procurement) -> Subsidy on inputs -> Disincentivise water guzzling crops -> cut subsidies

  2. Awareness and mobilisation -> Through PAAs -> Extension cover centres

  3. Promote contract farming in pulse

Technological

  1. Promote high quality indigenous varieties
  2. Enrich genetic pool -> high protein content varieties
  3. GM varieties with pest and draught resistance can assuage farmers
  4. Integrated farming techniques using drones, AI, micro irrigation

Close · a framework

Pulses thus become key priority for food and nutritional goals SDG 1, 2.

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